PTHA NEWS Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Newsletter We ARE Pennsylvania Racing Spring 2019 Perfect Aztec Sense Crowned Parx Horse of the Year The PTHA partnered with Parx Racing on March 27, 2019 to honor the top horsemen and their equine athletes from 2018. A record number of guests - over 400 - attended the event, which in addition to the awards included cocktails, hors d’oeurves, dinner and dancing. Attendees were also entertained by surprise guest comedian Joe Conklin. Headlining the evening as the 2018 Parx Racing Horse of the Year was Aztec Sense, who was undefeated in eight starts last year, including four at Parx. Trained by Jorge Navarro for longtime Parx Aztec Sense wins the $150,000 PA Derby Champion Stakes en route to being named 2018 Parx Horse of the Year. owner Joseph Besecker, the gelding was claimed for Photos: Nikki Sherman a mere $12,500 in 2017 and once he found his stride fifth straight, breaking the tie for consecutive titles in 2018, became unbeatable. The son of Street Sense with Kendrick Carmouche). Leading Owner resulted won the $150,000 PA Derby Champion Stakes, the in a tie as Jagger, Inc. and Top Notch Racing both $100,000 Turning for Home Stakes and the $100,000 finished the year deadlocked at 24 victories. Salvaore M. DeBunda PTHA President’s Cup Stakes Leading “Division B” Owner went to Michael R. Cox, at Parx. Aztec Sense also captured the award for while Howard “Roger” Brown, Jr., took the Leading Outstanding Older Male. “Division B” Trainer award. Jann Hernandez won the John Servis has accomplished every horseman’s dream Leading Apprentice Jockey title. in winning the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and 2018 marked the return of the Special Achievement a Breeders’ Cup championship race. Yet it took until category. The award is reserved for those who have 2018 before he nailed down a Leading Trainer title brought special recognition to Parx Racing. Three at his home track. Frankie Pennington successfully talented horses captured Grade 1 races in 2018: earned his sixth career Leading Jockey crown (and Eclipse Award Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Jaywalk, two-time Grade 1 winner Imperial Hint and the hard-knocking older colt Discreet Lover. Also honored with awards were stakes-placed Tara’s Talent (Two-Year-old Female), Grade 2 winner Maximus Mischief (Two-Year-Old Male), Grade 3 winner Dixie Serenade (Three-Year-Old Female), listed stakes winner Navy Commander (Three-Year- Old Male), PA-Bred stakes winner Zipper’s Hero (Older Female), Champagne Chuck (Claiming Horse of the Year & Winningest Horse), and Wonderfully PTHA President Sal DeBunda presents the trophy for Tuned (Outstanding Claim of the Year). Horse of the Year to Troy & Jeff Matty, who accepted on behalf of the connections for Aztec Sense. A full recap of the winners can be found throughout this edition of PTHA News. PTHA Launches New Benevolence Programs President’s Message Salvatore M. DeBunda, Esq. We are at a crossroads In addition, Pony Up will guide horsemen and their right now, with the recent employees toward a clear path for a new life - away from breakdowns in California. I addiction and/or mental health issues. Another concern want to clarify that I believe has been the decreased number of backstretch workers, so their initial outlawing of Lasix was a deflection of the A Leg Up was created to be a liaison between horsemen main issue. In my opinion, abandoning Lasix is not the and job-seekers outside of the stable gate. answer. There is a combination of factors that are just th as important, if not more so, including genetics, training On Wednesday, March 27 , we celebrated the very best of practices, tapping, imperfect pre-race vet checks, track Parx Racing, and I was honored to present the Horse of the surface, and the employment of proper safety officials. Year trophy for Aztec Sense. I would also like to express This is a battle that we must address together as an my heartfelt congratulations to the other champions! industry in order to see our sport survive. Every year at this time, our PTHA Board must join Back here at Parx Racing, we have several new together and work to educate our PA state legislators. programs that should be a great help to our own. I am This year is especially tough, as there are many new excited to relay that by the end of 2019, the PTHA freshman legislators. Rest assured that Executive should be able to distribute workmen’s compensation Director Mike Ballezzi and I will be joining our funds to eligible Parx trainers. Exact details are still lobbyists in Harrisburg over the next few months to being finalized, but we truly believe that the number to educate these “newbies” and make sure that our funds be divided will be in the six figure amount. remain safe with the horsemen right here in PA. Parx Horsemen ATTENTION TRAINERS Around the Nation Feb. 2 - HOLY BULL S. (G2) Mar. 30 - BELLE GALLANTEY S. Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 miles Aqueduct, 7 furlongs Be sure to stop in to the PTHA office 3rd - MAXIMUS MISCHIEF 3rd - FLASHNDYNAMITE to update your Trainer Retirement Plan O: Cash Is King LLC & O: Kasey K Racing Stable LLC Beneficiary Form. Many trainers have not LC Racing & Michael Day T: Robert Reid, Jr. T: Michael Moore yet completed their form. You may speak J: Jose Ortiz J: Silvestre Gonzalez with Nikki Guzman or Michael Colucci at Feb. 3 - BUSANDA S. Mar. 30 - VIDEOGENIC S. the door across from the main PTHA office Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles Aqueduct, 6 furlongs should you have any questions. 3rd - AFLEET DESTINY 3rd - BOW TOWN CAT O: Uriah St. Lewis O: Charles Orfe Sign up for text alerts from the Parx Racing T: Uriah St. Lewis T: Alfredo Velazquez Office! Message “parxracing” to 95577. J: Anthony Salgado J: Kendrick Carmouche Feb. 16 - WIDE COUNTRY S. Mar. 30 - STUD MUFFIN S. Please make sure to submit your 2019 Laurel Park, 6 furlongs Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles employee registration list to both Chris 2nd - OUR SUPER FREAK 3rd - COLONEL JUAN O: Jagger Inc. O: Dun Roamin Farm, Inc. Forbes at security AND PTHA Benefits T: Jamie Ness & Harriette Waldron Coordinator Amanda-Kate Lenzi at the J: Angel Suarez T: John Servis PTHA. Stable employees will not be J: Kendrick Carmouche Mar. 16 - BEYOND THE WIRE S. eligible for health, dental or eyecare benefits Laurel Park, 1 mile Apr. 6 - ASHLAND S. (G1) until all paperwork has been properly filed. 3rd - OUR SUPER FREAK Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles O: Jagger Inc. 3rd - JAYWALK Take care of it early so that your employees T: Jamie Ness O: D.J. Stable & Cash Is King can be ready for medical care at any time. J: Angel Suarez T: John Servis J: Javier Castellano Page 2 PTHANews Spring 2019 PTHA Launches New Benevolence Programs The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is proud to announce the creation of two new benevolence programs that will greatly assist the horsemen on the Parx Racing backstretch: A Leg Up and Pony Up. A LEG UP PONY UP RIDERS UP! Did you ever wonder what it would Sometimes it can feel like you’re swimming against be like to work in the Thoroughbred industry? a never-ending current while trying to overcome The PTHA will now provide the opportunity for addiction. Just a handful of symptoms include: interested job seekers to jump into the action. No Aggression • Anxiety • Avoidance • Blackouts • Criminal experience with horses? No problem! Activity • Defensiveness • Denial • Depression • Dizziness • Domestic Violence • Drinking to Cope with Problems A Leg Up’s goal is to provide the opportunity for • Financial Problems • Forgetfulness • Hallucinations • fresh faces to work their way into all aspects of the Headaches • Homelessness • Insomnia • Irritability • Lethargy racing industry and to help them find their niche • Loss of Interest in Favorite Activities & People • Memory in the Sport of Kings. This revolutionary new Problems • Mood Swings • Numbness • Paranoia • Poor mentoring program gives interns the chance to work Coordination • Repetitive or Slurred Speech • Sepsis • Sexual Dysfunction • Thoughts of Suicide • Unusual Body Odors • for a few days under an approved mentor trainer, Vision Problems • Weight Changes • Work Problems learning how to hotwalk racehorses. Once approved by the mentor, the PTHA will assist in pairing up Sound familiar? The PTHA is here to help with its new hotwalkers with a stable at Parx Racing. new Pony Up program, which is set up to guide backstretch workers toward a clear path for a new “Our goal is to match efforts with interested life. workers to explore the many jobs that racing offers,” said Danielle Montgomery of the PTHA. “The most difficult part of overcoming any “Starting on the bottom and working your way up dependency or personal struggle is seeking help,” the ladder is the way most backstretch workers said Pony Up Coordinator Amanda-Kate Lenzi. began this way of life, and we are excited to offer “It is our responsibility to offer a confidential and ‘A Leg Up’ to anyone who wants to work in the professional program for those who come to us racing industry.” asking for assistance. The PTHA has partnered up with programs in Bucks County to support these Once on the backside, opportunities abound beyond individuals. Pony Up is a judgment-free program the barn as well. Valets, pony riders, jockey’s that promises discretion and compassion.” agents, racing office, marketing, and many more positions throughout the industry can be explored! For more information, contact the PTHA office at (215) 638-2012 or email [email protected].